Kalyani J. Iyer had rendered ‘Happy Birthday to You’ on flute to impress her renowned flautist father Kudamaloor Janardanan a few years ago.
On Sunday, the Class X student of Nirmala Bhavan HSS, Thiruvananthapuram, topped the high school flute competition. For the flautist, it was a moment to cherish as he watched his daughter keep the audience in rapt attention. Kalyani won an A grade, and left no one in doubt about her command over the instrument.
“She had topped the competition in the previous edition of the festival in Kannur. Today, she presented the Ragam Thanam Pallavi in the Raga Nasikabhushani followed by Ragamalika. We feel happy for her,” said Mr. Janardanan and his wife and musician Ramya Janardanan.
It was natural for Kalyani to follow her father’s footsteps even though Mr. Janardanan never forced her to pursue it. “She is also learning music and dance. I guided her initially,” he said.
Kalyani said she would like to continue mastering the instrument along with her studies. When asked whether she was tense performing in front her father, Kalyani said she felt relaxed and motivated by his presence.
Asked about the quality of the candidates at this year’s festival, Mr. Janardanan said students needed to learn their lessons in depth and not approach the process lightly. “The selection of composition and its presentation matter a lot,” he said.
